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If AI were going to churn out a perfect female running mate for Donald Trump, it might very well be South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
Noem styles herself as a tough, rangy, gun-loving ranch gal with beauty queen energy and ethical standards as loose as those of Trump himself.
Noem gained national attention recently because after having launched a multimillion-dollar national ad campaign to draw workers to her state — featuring herself as a plumber, welder, state trooper, accountant and dental tech — she traveled to Texas when she needed dental services.
That might have gone unnoticed but for the wacky, five-minute infomercial-style video she cut praising Smile Texas, the Houston-based cosmetic dentistry service that did the work. Noem, whose “executive, feminine, beautiful smile,” in the ad, posted the video to her social media accounts and is being sued by Travelers United for “failing to properly disclose a medical tourism advertisement.” The lawsuit alleges that Noem “advertised a product or service without disclosing that she has a financial relationship with that company,” and failed to let her followers know she was advertising on behalf of a brand.
In true Trumpian fashion, Noem has refused to answer basic questions about whether she was paid or received free dental work in exchange for the very professional looking video.
Trump, who’s hawking $59.99 “God Bless the USA Bibles” when he’s not running for president or defending himself in court, might want to get some tips.